Retractable wipe for cleaning endoscopic surgical devices

ABSTRACT

A retractable wipe is disclosed for cleaning the lens at the forward end of an endoscope while it is inside the body cavity during endoscopic surgery and a method for using the retractable wipe in such a capacity. The retractable wipe allows for the wiping element of a wiping device to be in a protected, retracted position during entry into the surgical area and then provides for the wiping element to be extended for use once inside the surgical area. While the invention is useful in several types of endoscopic surgery. It is especially useful in ophthalmic surgery. The device may be made in various sizes, so that it will fit in the small incisions used in ophthaimic surgery. The invention is also especially useful in laparoscopic surgery. Due to the abundance of fat and other bodily materials in the abdominal area, which tend to foul the endoscope and frequent endoscope cleaning is required to maintain a clear view of the surgical view.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to endoscopic surgery and more particularly to aretractable wiping device for the tip of an endoscope for maintaining aclean, clear field of vision through the endoscope during the surgicalprocedure. The invention is useful in all types of endoscopic surgeryand especially in ophthalmic surgery. The retractable wiping device maybe made in various sizes, including very small, so that it will fit inthe very small incisions used in ophthalmic surgery. The invention isalso quite useful in laparoscopic surgery. Due to the abundance of fatand other bodily materials in the abdominal area, which tend to foul theendoscope, frequent endoscope cleaning is required to maintain a clearview of the surgical area.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Endoscopic surgery may be accomplished in multiple ways. At least oneincision is made or a body orifice is utilized to permit an endoscopewith visualization optics to enter into the body cavity and bepositioned adjacent the surgical field of interest. The working ends ofsurgical implements may be inserted into this incision or may beattached to the endoscope. Alternately, more than one incision into thebody cavity may be made. One incision permits the independent placementof an endoscope in the body cavity. Other incisions permit the separateemplacement of the working ends of various surgical implements.

During both a) entry into an incision in the body, and b) during thecourse of the surgical procedure, moisture or body materials may bepresent at the tip of the endoscope, which would blur the surgeon'svision of the surgical field. Hence, the tip must be cleaned of suchmaterial.

It is presently known to clean the lens at the tip of the endoscope bysquirting an endoscope with water or some other liquid. Such devices aretypically shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,281,646, 4,919,113, and JapanesePatent 5-103751. However, under certain surgical procedures,particularly in which the field is pressurized with a gas such as air,it is undesirable to introduce such additional moisture into thesurgical field. Further, spraying liquid on the endoscope may notprovide thorough cleaning and may result in streaking or spotting whenthe liquid dries.

It is also known to use sponge devices, impregnated with water or othercleaning solutions, to clean endoscopes. Several embodiments of suchdevices are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,274,874. The cleaning sponge may beused outside of the surgical area or may also be attached to theinterior of an endoscopic trocar cannula so that the endoscope comes incontact with and is cleaned by a sponge device every time the endoscopeis inserted into the trocar cannula. Such devices employing asponge-type wiping element require the removal of the endoscope from itsincision, and the surgical area as a whole, in order to provideeffective cleaning. Endoscope removal may result in the loss of valuabletime during endoscopic surgery. Further, additional entry and exit ofthe surgical area may be required when using these devices, resulting inadditional trauma to the patient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is used while the endoscope is completely within a bodycavity at the surgical area. Removal of the endoscope from the surgicalarea requires time and care beyond that necessary for the surgery, itmay cause additional surgical trauma to the patient.

The retractable wipe of the invention includes a housing to contain thevarious parts of the device. A hollow tubular extension of the housing,which may be part of the same piece of material used to make the housingor may be a separate part, contains a retractable wiping element for theendoscope. The wiping element remains fully retracted within the tubularextension during its entry into an incision or orifice in the body, sothat the wiping element does not become fouled during such entry. Thisprovides a wiping element which is capable of effectively cleaning anendoscope. The end of the tubular extension is positioned at the tip ofthe endoscope. Once it is at the site of the optical endoscope lens, amanually actuated reciprocating mechanism can be selectively activatedto extend the wiping element outward from the hollow tubular extensionfor wiping the lens tip of an endoscope. The wiping element can beretracted into its hollow tubular extension and the surgery may proceedwith clear vision through the endoscope. The procedure may be repeatedas necessary throughout the surgical process.

When inserted into an incision or orifice, especially one which does notcontain the endoscope, the invention can be easily maneuvered tofacilitate proper cleaning of an endoscope. The hollow tubularextension, which is thinner than the housing, extends out from thehousing of the device so that the wiping device may be actuated withoutthe bulk of the wiping element extending means being inserted into theincision or orifice. This minimizes the trauma caused by insertion ofthe invention.

While the endoscope is in place inside an incision or body orifice, theinvention may be delivered to the endoscope in one of three ways. First,the invention may be inserted through an incision or orifice used forthe entry of surgical instruments while surgical instruments are not inplace in the incision/orifice. Second, it may be inserted through anincision or orifice used for the entry of surgical instruments while thesurgical instruments are in place in the incision/orifice. Third, it maybe inserted through an incision or body orifice that is used for theentry of the endoscope. The method of delivering the invention to theendoscope is dependent upon the type of surgery taking place. Forexample, the invention of the preferred embodiment is designed for usein ophthalmic endoscopic surgery. As such surgery permits only verysmall incisions to be made, the first method, inserting the invention inan incision used for surgical instruments while the instruments are notin place in the incision, is used.

The invention may alternately be built into or attached to an endoscope.A multichannel endoscope, as its name suggests, is a self-containedapparatus which has more than one channel. These multiple channels areplaced into the body cavity simultaneously during endoscopic surgery.Use of a multi-channel endoscope requires only one incision or bodyorifice. One channel of the endoscope contains the visualization optics.Other channels, referred to as working channels, are used for the entryof surgical instruments. The retractable wipe of the invention may beplaced into a working channel and operated from within this channel.Thus only one incision or body orifice is necessary to use the endoscopeand the retractable wipe. In its other embodiments, one or moreincisions or orifices are necessary to use both the endoscope and theretractable wipe.

The retractable wipe may be built in a variety of sizes. In that it maybe very small, it is especially useful for ophthalmic endoscopicsurgery. Due to the size and delicacy of the eye, ophthalmic surgerypermits only very small incisions to be made for the surgical procedure.The retractable wipe may be constructed small enough to easily fit intosuch small incisions.

When made in a relatively large size, the retractable wipe is especiallyuseful for laparoscopic surgery. Due to the abundance of fat and otherbodily materials in the abdominal area, which tend to foul theendoscope, frequent endoscope cleaning is required to maintain a clearview of the surgical view. These materials have a tendency to cloud anendoscope almost immediately upon the entry of an endoscope into anincision. This tendency makes repeated cleaning an endoscope while it islocated within the body imperative. The retractable wipe, in that it maybe used within the body to clean an endoscope, is excellent for thispurpose.

The retractable wipe is a relatively inexpensive, precision instrument.The wipe is disposable. It is intended to be used for one surgicalprocedure only, for the sake of preserving a sterile surgicalenvironment. The retraction of the wipe element into the tubularextension provides a cleaning action as the edge of the tubularextension frictionally contacts the wipe element, squeezing and scrapingthe wipe element. However, if the wipe becomes fouled beyond the pointof effective use, it may be disposed of and replaced during the surgicalprocedure.

Using the invention to clean an endoscope during surgery includes thefollowing procedure:

At least one incision is made or a body orifice is used to permit anendoscope with visualization optics to enter into the body cavity and bepositioned adjacent to the surgical field of interest. The working endsof surgical implements may be inserted separately or may be built intothe endoscope, so that the surgery can be accomplished.

Alternately, additional incisions are made or additional orifices areutilized through which are positioned the working ends of varioussurgical implements such as cutting devices, etc. so that the surgerycan be accomplished.

When the endoscope is inserted into and while it is located within abody cavity, it may become fouled with bodily fluids, blood, cartilage,muscle, etc. This prevents the endoscope from accomplishing its task ofproviding visualization of the surgical area.

The retractable wipe of the invention is inserted into the one of theincisions or orifices while the wiping element is in the retractedposition to prevent the wiping element from being unnecessarily fouledor mangled.

Because the invention is placed into a body cavity while the endoscopeis in a body cavity, the view from the endoscope may be used to properlyguide the invention to the endoscope, assuming the endoscope is notcompletely fouled. Once properly emplaced adjacent to the tip of theendoscope, the wiping element is extended from within the hollow tubularextension and is wiped against the lens of the endoscope until the lensis sufficiently devoid of soiling matter to allow clear vision.

The wiping element is then retracted into the hollow tubular extensionand the invention is then removed from the surgical area. This mayentail a complete removal from the body cavity or merely moving thedevice aside within the cavity. The surgical process is then again readyto proceed. The procedure may be repeated as necessary throughout thesurgical process.

Alternately, the retractable wipe may be built into or attached to theendoscope. The process for using the retractable wipe remains the sameas it would otherwise, except that it need not be inserted into a bodycavity and emplaced separate of the endoscope as it is already in theemplaced in the cavity in which the endoscope is located.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 typically shows the preferred embodiment in use during theendoscopic surgical procedure.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the preferred embodiment with the wipingelement in an extended position.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the preferred embodiment with the wiping elementin an extended position.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, along line 1--1 of FIG. 3, with thewiping element in an extended position.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view, along line 1--1 of FIG. 3, with thewiping element in a retracted position.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment with thewiping element in an extended position.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment with thewiping element in a retracted position.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an another alternate embodiment withthe wiping element in an extended position.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an another alternate embodiment withthe wiping element in a retracted position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of a retractable wipe device inuse during the endoscopic surgical procedure. Endoscope 500 is locatedwithin an incision in the body cavity. Its visualization optics arelocated on endoscope tip 501. Retractable wipe assembly 100 is locatedin a second incision in the body cavity. Wiping element 105 is in anextended position. In this position wiping element 501 may engage andwipe endoscope tip 501 to clean it of soiling matter.

FIGS. 2-5 show the preferred embodiment, which is especially useful inophthalmic endoscopic surgery. The retractable wipe assembly 100includes a housing 101 which is preferably made a plastic material suchas Delrin®. Housing 101 may be cylindrical in configuration and has alongitudinal cavity 111 along its length. Longitudinal cavity 111 ispreferably comprised of two cavities of different diameters. A largercavity 113 is adjacent to distal housing end 114 and a smaller cavity115 is adjacent to proximal housing end 112. Using two differentdiameters allows the device to function by tightly containing tubularextension 102 in a smaller cavity while the larger cavity facilitatesassembly of the device and also serves to conserve on materials used tomake the device. Housing 101 preferably has a series of ridges 116 alongits outer perimeter to facilitate manual grasping of the housing.Housing 101 has an aperture 110 cut through it. Aperture 110 is adjacentto proximal housing end 112. Aperture 110 has a proximal end 120 and adistal end 121. Smaller cavity 115 extends from proximal housing end 112slightly beyond distal end 121 of aperture 110.

Tubular extension 102 has a hollow cavity running along its entirelength. Tubular extension 102 is made of a thin gauge metal such asstainless steel. Tubular extension 102 extends from proximal end 120 ofaperture 110, through smaller cavity 115, to a distance beyond proximalhousing end 112. This distance may be varied depending upon the type ofsurgery the device is to be used in. The diameter of tubular extension102 is dimensionally related to smaller cavity 115 to provide a tightand permanent mounting of tubular extension 102 within smaller cavity115.

Needle 103 is made of a thin gauge metal such as stainless steel. Needle103 is located within tubular extension 102 and is dimensionally relatedthereto to permit reciprocating movement within tubular extension 102along the longitudinal axis 140 of tubular extension 102, whichcoincides with the longitudinal axis of housing 101.

Slide knob 104 is preferably made of the same material as housing 101,such as Delrin® plastic. Slide knob 104 is located within aperture 110.Needle 103 extends through slide knob 104 and is fixedly attachedthereto. A distal portion 103-1 of needle 103 extends beyond both theslide knob 104 and distal aperture end 121 into the portion oflongitudinal cavity 111 located immediately beyond distal aperture end121. At least a portion of the cavity into which this distal portion103-1 of needle 103 is located is of a lesser diameter than theremainder of larger cavity 113 to support distal portion 103-1 of needle103 and maintain alignment of the needle between the retracted positionand the extended position. The diameter of the portion of longitudinalcavity 111 may correspond to that of smaller cavity 115.

Wiping element 105 is made of a sponge material such as foam plastic.Wiping element 105 is located at proximal end 130 of needle 103 and hasa diameter which is substantially similar to that of needle 103. Wipingelement 105 is fixedly attached to needle 103 using an adhesive.

Slide knob 104 is selectively actuated to provide the extension andretraction of Wiping element 105. Referring to FIG. 4, when slide knob104 is located at proximal aperture end 120, wiping element 105 is in anexposed, extended position to perform its wiping function while needle103 remains within tubular extension 102. Referring to FIG. 5, whenslide knob 104 is located at distal aperture end 121, wiping element 105is in a completely retracted position within tubular extension 102.

The dimensions of the parts of the preferred embodiment for use inophthalmic endoscopic surgery are as follows:

Housing 101 has a length, between proximal end 112 and proximal apertureend 120, of 0.250 inches. Smaller cavity 115 has a diameter of 0.034inches.

Aperture 110 has a length, between proximal aperture end 120 and distalaperture end 121, of 0.375 inches and a width of 0.140 inches.

Tubular extension 102 has a length of 1.550 inches and a 0.034 inchdiameter.

Needle 103 has a total length of 2.20 inches and a 0.022 inch diameter.Wipe element 105 has a length of 0.550 inches and a 0.022 inch diameter.

Slide knob 104 has a length of 0.500 inches, a diameter of 0.125 inches,and has an hole through its diameter. The hole has a 0.022 inchdiameter.

In the alternate embodiment of FIGS. 6-7, larger cavity 113 contains aninternal channel 201 along its circumference, near distal housing end114. Screw mechanism 202 has a body 220 and a base member 221. Screwmechanism 202 has a proximal end 230 and a distal end 231. Base member221 is located at distal end 231. Body 220 is hollow and containsinternal threads 222 along its interior circumference at proximal end230. Body 220 is located within larger cavity 113, at distal housing end114, and is dimensionally related thereto to permit moving engagementwithin larger cavity 113. Body 220 has a ridge 223 running along itsperimeter. Ridge 220 corresponds to and is dimensionally related tochannel 201 such that it may rotationally move within channel 201, yetnot fall out. This prevents screw mechanism 202 from falling out oflarger cavity 113.

Connecting rod 103-2 is a rod extending through distal end 103-1 ofneedle 103. Connecting rod 103-2 is of a length dimensionally related tothe interior diameter of body 220 such that rod 103-2 is movinglyattached within threads 222 of body 220.

When screw mechanism 202 is turned clockwise within larger cavity 113,needle 103 is moved outward along the hollow cavity of tubular extension102. This movement is due to rod 103-2 being driven along threads 222.This results in the extension of wiping element 105 from within tubularextension 102, as shown in FIG. 6. When screw mechanism 202 is turnedcounterclockwise within larger cavity 113, needle 103 is moved inwardalong the hollow cavity of tubular extension 102. This movement is dueto rod 103-2 being driven along threads 222. This allows the retractionof wiping element 105 to within tubular extension 102, to the positionshown in FIG. 7. Base member 221 is knurled to allow easy gripping andactuation of screw mechanism 202.

In FIG. 6, block 224 serves a stopping function to limit the extent ofproximal movement. Block 224 is located within larger cavity 113, beyonddistal end 231 of screw mechanism 202. Needle 103 goes through and isfixedly attached to block 224. When screw mechanism 202 is turnedclockwise to extend the wipe, the extension process will be stopped whenblock 224 engages the distal end of large cavity 113. Accordingly atthis stopped position, wiping element 105 will be fully extended whileneedle 103 remains within tubular extension 102. Thus, a stop means isprovided.

Similarly, block 224 will prevent needle 103 from being retracted to thepoint of falling out of housing 101. In FIG. 7, when screw mechanism 202is turned counterclockwise to retract the wipe, the retraction processwill be stopped when block 224 engages body 220 at proximal end 230.Thus, needle 103 cannot fall out of screw mechanism 202 or housing 101.

Alternately, the extent of internal threads 222 may be used as astopping means. The extent of internal threads 222 may be such that rod103-2 will be stopped, by virtue of the end of the threading, whenwiping element 105 is fully extended while needle 103 remains withintubular extension 102. Hence, a stop means is provided. The extent ofinternal threads 222 may also be such that rod 103-2 will be stoppedwhen wiping element 105 is fully retracted. Thus, needle 103 cannot fallout of screw mechanism 202 or housing 101.

In the alternate embodiment of FIGS. 8-9, rod mechanism 301 includes arod 302 located within larger cavity 113 and dimensionally relatedthereto to initiate reciprocating movement within larger cavity 113.Longitudinal cavity 111 has a protrusion 310 at distal end 114. Rodmechanism 301 has a groove 311 cut into a side. Groove 311 has aproximal end 320 and a distal end 321. Groove 311 surrounds and isadjacent to protrusion 310. Distal end 103-1 of needle 103 is fixedlyattached to rod mechanism 301 at proximal end 340, Rod mechanism 301 hasa detent at distal end 341 of the mechanism to facilitate easy, onefinger actuation.

When rod mechanism 301 is actuated by being slid along larger cavity113, needle 103 is slid along the hollow cavity of tubular extension102. This facilitates the extension and retraction of wiping element 105from within tubular extension 102. Referring to FIG. 9, when rodmechanism 301 is proximally slid so that proximal groove end 320 engagesprotrusion 310, wiping element 105 is in an exposed, extended positionsuch that needle 103 remains within tubular extension 102. Thisengagement between proximal end 320 and protrusion 310 provides a stopmeans. Referring to FIG. 12, when rod mechanism 301 is distally slid sothat distal groove end 321 engages protrusion 310, wiping element 105 isin a retracted position within tubular extension 102. This engagementbetween protrusion 310 and distal end 321 prevents rod mechanism 301from sliding out of longitudinal cavity 111.

It should be noted that use of various other materials, variousmodifications in the configuration, and the other similar modificationsand variations to which the invention is susceptible, may be practicedwithout departing from the scope, intent, and teaching of the claims.

I claim:
 1. A retractable wipe for endoscopic surgical instrumentscomprising:A. a housing having manual gripping means about its externalsurface, distal and proximal ends, with a longitudinal cavity extendingalong at least a portion of its length and terminating at said proximalend; B. a hollow tubular extension projecting forward from said proximalend of said housing and communicating with said longitudinal cavity; C.a needle, extending along a longitudinal axis, located within saidtubular extension, and dimensionally related thereto to permitreciprocating movement within said tubular extension along saidlongitudinal axis of said tubular extension and having a distal portionextending towards and beyond said distal end of said housing and aproximal end extending towards and beyond said proximal end of saidhousing; D. a wiping element at said proximal end of said needle; and E.a reciprocating means for selectively moving said needle along said axisof said tubular extension between a retracted position, in which saidwiping element is within said tubular extension, and an extendedposition, in which said wiping element projects outward of said proximalend of said tubular extension.
 2. The retractable wipe of claim 1wherein said hollow tubular extension is a narrow member fixedly securedto said proximal end of said housing.
 3. The retractable wipe of claim 1wherein said longitudinal cavity of said housing is of two diameters, asmaller diameter at said proximal end of said housing and a largerdiameter at said distal end of said housing.
 4. The retractable wipe ofclaim 1 wherein said reciprocating means includes a knob projectingoutward of said housing, said knob being operably connected to saidneedle and manually moveable between a first position, in which saidwiping element is in said retracted position, and a second position, inwhich said wiping element is in said extended position.
 5. Theretractable wipe of claim 1 wherein said reciprocating means comprises arod mechanism, having proximal and distal ends and being movinglylocated within said longitudinal cavity, said needle affixed at a distalend to said rod mechanism.
 6. A retractable wipe for endoscopic surgicalinstruments comprising:A. a housing having distal and proximal ends,with a longitudinal cavity extending along at least a portion of itslength and terminating at said proximal end; B. a hollow tubularextension projecting forward from said proximal end of said housing andcommunicating with said longitudinal cavity; C. a needle, extendingalong a longitudinal axis, located within said tubular extension, anddimensionally related thereto to permit reciprocating movement withinsaid tubular extension said tubular extension along said longitudinalaxis of said tubular extension and having a distal portion extendingtowards said distal end of said housing and a proximal end extendingtowards and beyond said proximal end of said housing; D. a wipingelement at said proximal end of said needle; E. a reciprocating meansfor selectively moving said needle along said axis of said tubularextension between a retracted position, in which said wiping element iswithin said tubular extension, and an extended position, in which saidwiping element projects outward of said proximal end of said tubularextension; F. said reciprocating means including a knob projectingoutward of said housing, said knob being operably connected to saidneedle and manually moveable between a first position, in which saidwiping element is in said retracted position, and a second position, inwhich said wiping element is in said extended position; and G. saidhousing includes an aperture to receive said knob, said knob including aportion located within said aperture and a manually operable portionextending outward of said aperture, said knob being moveable within saidaperture to reciprocate said needle between said retracted position andsaid extended position.
 7. The retractable wipe of claim 6 wherein saidaperture includes distal and proximal ends, longitudinally spaced alongsaid housing an amount equal to a longitudinal displacement between saidretracted position and said extended position,said knob contacting saiddistal aperture end when said wiping element is in said retractedposition and said knob contacting said proximal aperture when saidwiping element is in said extended position such that said ends providestop means to limit said movement of said wiping element between saidretracted position and said extended position.
 8. The retractable wipeof claim 7 wherein said distal needle end is supported in a portion ofsaid longitudinal cavity which extends from said distal aperture endtowards said distal end of said housing.
 9. A. a housing having distaland proximal ends, with a longitudinal cavity extending along at least aportion of its length and terminating at said proximal end;B. a hollowtubular extension projecting forward from said proximal end of saidhousing and communicating with said longitudinal cavity; C. a needle,extending along a longitudinal axis, located within said tubularextension, and dimensionally related thereto to permit reciprocatingmovement within said tubular extension said tubular extension along saidlongitudinal axis of said tubular extension and having a distal portionextending towards said distal end of said housing and a proximal endextending towards and beyond said proximal end of said housing; D. awiping element at said proximal end of said needle; E. a reciprocatingmeans for selectively moving said needle along said axis of said tubularextension between a retracted position, in which said wiping element iswithin said tubular extension, and an extended position, in which saidwiping element projects outward of said proximal end of said tubularextension, F. said reciprocating means comprises a screw mechanism; G.said screw mechanism having a body with proximal and distal ends, a basemember at said distal end to facilitate rotation of said screwmechanism, and threading on a perimeter of the body of said screwmechanism, H. said longitudinal cavity having threads which correspondto the threads of the perimeter of the body of said screw mechanism; I.said screw mechanism being located and threaded into within saidlongitudinal cavity at a distal end of said housing such that there is amoving engagement between them, and J. said needle being affixed to saidproximal end of the body of said screw mechanism such that rotating saidscrew mechanism moves said needle through said hollow tubular extension.10. The retractable wipe of claim 9 wherein said screw mechanismincludes stop means to limit said extent of needle movement between saidretracted position and said extended position.
 11. The retractable wipeof claim 10 wherein the extent of said threaded moving engagementbetween said threads within said longitudinal cavity and said threads onsaid perimeter of the body of said screw mechanism provides said stopmeans.
 12. The retractable wipe of claim 10 wherein said base member ofsaid screw mechanism engages said housing to provide said stop means.13. A. a housing having distal and proximal ends, with a longitudinalcavity extending along at least a portion of its length and terminatingat said proximal end;B. a hollow tubular extension projecting forwardfrom said proximal end of said housing and communicating with saidlongitudinal cavity; C. a needle, extending along a longitudinal axis,located within said tubular extension, and dimensionally related theretoto permit reciprocating movement within said tubular extension saidtubular extension along said longitudinal axis of said tubular extensionand having a distal portion extending towards said distal end of saidhousing and a proximal end extending towards and beyond said proximalend of said housing; D. a wiping element at said proximal end of saidneedle; E. a reciprocating means for selectively moving said needlealong said axis of said tubular extension between a predeterminedretracted position, in which said wiping element is within said tubularextension, and a predetermined extended position, in which said wipingelement projects a predetermined distance outward of said proximal endof said tubular extension; F. said reciprocating means comprises a rodmechanism, having proximal and distal ends and being movingly locatedwithin said longitudinal cavity, said needle affixed at a distal end tosaid rod mechanism; and G. said rod mechanism includes stop means atboth of said retracted and extended positions to limit said extent ofneedle movement between said predetermined retracted position and saidpredetermined extended position.
 14. The retractable wipe of claim 13wherein said longitudinal cavity has a protrusion located adjacent tosaid distal end of said housing,said rod mechanism having a groove forcontaining said protrusion, the extent of said groove being within saiddistal or said proximal end of said rod mechanism such that said groovehas ends to engage said protrusion, said protrusion and said grooveengaging each other to provide said stop means.
 15. A method of cleaningan endoscope lens while said endoscope is being used within a bodycavity for endoscopic surgery comprising:A. permitting an endoscope toenter into a body cavity and be positioned adjacent a surgical field; B.allowing working ends of various surgical implements to be positioned ina body cavity adjacent said surgical field; C. inserting a retractablewipe into at least one body cavity adjacent said surgical field whileits wiping element is in a retracted position within a protectiveextension of said retractable wipe; D. extending said wiping elementfrom within a protective extension of said retractable wipe and wipingsaid wiping element against said endoscope lens until said lens issufficiently devoid of soiling matter; E. retracting said wiping elementinto said protective extension of said retractable wipe; F. removingsaid retractable wipe from said immediate surgical field; and G.repeating steps D, E, and F a desired number of times as said endoscopiclens becomes fouled with soiling matter during said surgery.
 16. Amethod of cleaning an endoscope lens while said endoscope is being usedwithin a body cavity for endoscopic surgery comprising said steps of:A.permitting an endoscope, which has a retractable wipe attached thereto,to enter into a body cavity and be positioned adjacent a surgical fieldwhile its wiping element is in a retracted position within a protectiveextension of said retractable wipe; B. allowing working ends of varioussurgical implements to be positioned in a body cavity adjacent saidsurgical field; C. extending said wiping element from within aprotective extension of said retractable wipe and wiping said wipingelement against said endoscope lens until said lens is sufficientlydevoid of soiling matter; D. retracting said wiping element into saidprotective extension of said retractable wipe; and E. repeating steps Cand D a desired number of times as said endoscopic lens becomes fouledwith soiling matter during said surgery.